Car Buying Tips Everyone Must Know

 

             So, you have to buy a car… The process is not a fun one, and it usually isn’t something anybody looks forward to.  However, chances are that you will need to get a car at some point.  We want to make that experience a little easier for you.  Here is a list of things you need to do before buying a car and things to keep in mind during your visit to the dealership:

 

Nail down your budget:

                  Knowing what you are willing and able to spend on a car is a must. Most websites with cars listed for sale have a payment calculator that you can use if you choose to finance or lease.  If you are buying outright, having a budget is even more important.  If you are going to finance, most dealers can make it easy to “get the car down” to what you are willing to pay each month even if the car is more expensive than you initially wanted.  It’s even a good idea to look for cars that are about $1000-$2000 cheaper than your budget to compensate for taxes, tags, and fees that may be hidden from the price you see.  Sticking to a budget or cap will prevent you from spending money you may not have.

 

Know what you want and need:

              This is kind of a no-brainer, but having an idea of what you need can save you a lot of time and hassle.  New or Used?  Four door sedan or mid-size SUV?  All-wheel drive or two-wheel drive?  Websites like Cars.com, AutoTrader, and TrueCar give you listings which you can filter to find the cars that meet your criteria.  You can also use the filters for your budget.  Consumer Reports is an excellent resource to use when researching for an appropriate car.  They give you real-time data from real owners.  You can find common problems with cars you are researching and opinions from people who drive the vehicles on a daily basis.  Even if you don’t use any of these resources, car forums are a great place to find common issues with just about any vehicle.

 

Pick at least 3 options that meet your criteria:

            Just like with most other things in life, it is good to have a back-up plan. Most of the time, if a person or dealership doesn’t have exactly what you are looking for, you will most likely find another similar vehicle just down the road.  It doesn’t always work like that though.  If you need to find a car quickly, it will be especially important to have one or two alternative vehicles in the back of your mind.  Sometimes, vehicles advertised on a website are sold before they are taken off the internet.  You’ve been warned.

Know the value of your current vehicle:

                     Not everybody trades in their current vehicle or sells what they have to get a new one, but many do. Make sure that when you walk through the doors of the dealership, you know exactly what your car is worth and what you need from the dealer from a trade.  If you sell your car yourself, know your bottom limit.  This will prevent you from getting less than what the car is worth as most people understandably want the highest profit margin they can get.  Kelly Blue Book is the most trusted name in vehicle selling and trading.  Almost everyone uses KBB, and they have a vehicle value calculator right on their site.  It is free for anybody to use.  Print it out and take it with you!

 

Remember… there is always wiggle room on the price:

                 Dealers are usually adamant about the fact that they can’t go lower on the advertised price. If that happens, just give it some time.  Threatening to walk away and purchase similar car at the lot down the street usually gets a “second look” from the “owner” of the dealership.  It may seem funny, but it really works.  I have personally been offered $2000 extra off the published internet price of a car after three, “I can’t go any lower” statements from the sales person.

 

Check the Carfax:

                    It’s always a good idea just to look at the Carfax, even if you don’t need to know where the car has been owned or how many owners the vehicle has had. If a price seems too good to be true, it is an especially good time to check it.  Maintenance records, recalls, and reported accidents are all right there for you to see.  It may prevent you from making a huge mistake.

 

Make sure you get the car you like:

               Car buying is a lengthy, expensive process. Like a house or any other major purchase, you need to make sure to get a car you actually like.  If something about it doesn’t feel right to you, trust your gut.  Don’t buy the car.  If you love it, and it fits all your other criteria, go ahead and get it!  For most people, driving a car is already a pain.  You want to make the experience as good as possible for yourself.

 

               We could write a book about car-buying, but who has time for that?!  Print this out and check off all the tips as you get through them.  We are here to help make the process simpler for you.  Now go out and get your next vehicle!

–SWF